Public submissions close for Peel-based Fruitico to use land west of Waroona for seasonal worker accommodation

Public submissions are set to close today after a Peel-based family farm’s application to use and develop land west of Waroona for seasonal worker accommodation to house almost 250 people. The proposal was made by Fruitico in August, which said it had “made a strategic decision to lodge an application for the development of an on farm accommodation facility to ensure the ongoing availability of workforce numbers.” The development, located on lots 270 to 272 Buller Road about 7km from the Waroona centre, would include a 19,000sqm camp area, comprising a 5000sqm of green open recreation space that would house 62 small buildings with four self-contained rooms. Each of the buildings would be linked by concrete paths, to allow for pedestrian movements between rooms. The development would also include a kitchen, on-site wastewater treatment plant, prayer room and caretaker accommodation. The proposal states that all camp guests will be part of the Federal Government Seasonal Worker Program. The application adds that the camp would not affect residents of the town and that it had the potential to benefit the Waroona area. “Typically there is minimal overlap between the camp guests and town residents/community because of the design features within the camp which offer a full range of personal services such as on-site catering and laundry, plus a range of on-site recreational activities,” the document states. “Notwithstanding this, there is still a robust multiplier benefit for the town based on the likelihood of supply and provision of services for the 200-man camp to operate. The application stated “many regional businesses experience seasonal variances in the number of workers required throughout the year” and that for Fruitico “there are major workforce adjustments that are required during the year to facilitate the specific human resource phases of their operating structure.” A number of the buildings are already on the block, owned by Fruitico. The findings of the public consultation period, which is due to end today, will be presented to council at a future meeting.